Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Monday that ongoing forest fires in several provinces, including Balıkesir, Bilecik, Hatay, and Izmir, have prompted the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents as part of urgent safety measures.

In a statement on X, Yerlikaya emphasized the scale of the response and the severity of the damage caused by the blazes. “More than 50,000 citizens living in fire-affected regions were safely evacuated to secure areas,” he said.

Preliminary damage assessments indicate considerable losses in Bilecik and Izmir. According to the Interior Ministry’s data, 64 homes, 3 workplaces, and 20 barns were damaged in Bilecik, while in Izmir, 132 homes and one workplace sustained destruction due to the fires.

Based on the extent of the impact, both Bilecik and Izmir have been officially designated as "Disaster Areas Affecting General Life," a classification that enables the rapid allocation of government aid and resources.

Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has allocated a total of 60 million Turkish lira in emergency assistance, with 30 million TL transferred to each of the affected provinces. The funds are intended to support immediate relief and recovery efforts for citizens impacted by the fires.

“AFAD is actively coordinating with local authorities to continue damage assessments and provide necessary humanitarian support to affected residents,” Yerlikaya stated.

Efforts to bring the fires under control are ongoing, as emergency services, firefighters, and volunteers work around the clock to contain the flames and prevent further destruction. The Turkish government has urged residents in high-risk zones to remain alert and follow official guidance as the situation develops. (ILKHA)